Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary

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Spring 2007: A Wonderful Rescue

There is no truer and more abiding happiness than the knowledge that one is free to go on doing day by day, the best work one can do, in the kind one likes best. Herding dogs would agree.

So it was again in late January that another challenge of the heart came my way. Two hard working friends in southern New Mexico, Ramona and Jennifer, informed me that they had discovered a pitiful collection of pure bred dogs in a small back yard in their town. Ten out of twelve of the dogs were very small; two others were Golden Retrievers. I was speechless with sorrow and anger. Someone was breeding these animals for financial gain, and all were left outdoors, no matter what the weather. “Knee deep in feces:" said Jennifer. My heart ached with the desire to liberate all those innocent, abused creatures. One of them, the tiniest, was a 2 month old baby Pomeranian, just a little sphere of fuzz. Others included Boston Terriers, poodles, Chihuahuas, a Maltese, a black scottie and Terriers.

It seemed as though my life could never be pronounced happy again without the full prospect of rescuing every one of those pathetic animals from an uncaring human.

All manner of rescue methods crossed my mind. As these whirled in my thoughts it became clear that we had to literally purchase every dog from this greed-inspired human. This was the procedure that would leave us all in tact in the end. We raised the money; Jennifer and Ramona drove to deliver the mighty precious check, and drove away with every single adorable dog. All our hearts burst with elation.

Jennifer groomed each one and delivered them to me at the Smith Veterinary Hospital for examinations, spaying, neutering and dentals.

The dogs were naturally nervous, peeing all over the examination rooms. But they knew something good had taken place in their lives; there was a sparkle in their eyes and an attentive tilt to their heads. Someone cared! Lots of people cared. Even the sanctuary dogs received the newcomers like seasoned diplomats.

Friends took four dogs for immediate adoption. All the others have found loving homes excepting one little tan chihuahua, Toby, who is living with us at the sanctuary and very happy. No one has to sleep outside in the cold any more, or produce baby offspring which are snatched away and sold for unemotional money. The avaricious love of gain is left behind. The animals indulge in warm beds and love, thanks to Ramona and Jennifer and other wonderful inspired helpers. Spring is here for everyone to really enjoy.